Jexet Technologieshttps://www.jexet.com
Fri, 22 Feb 2019 06:55:10 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8https://pronto-core-cdn.prontomarketing.com/2/wp-content/uploads/sites/552/cache/2019/02/favicon/48992123.icoJexet Technologieshttps://www.jexet.com
3232Groups, Yammer, and Teams: What are they?https://www.jexet.com/2019/02/21/groups-yammer-and-teams-what-are-they/
Thu, 21 Feb 2019 21:00:01 +0000http://jexet.bypronto.com/?p=34509While most Office 365 apps serve a unique purpose, tools like Outlook Groups, Yammer, and Microsoft Teams can all be used for office communication and collaboration. However, there are small differences in the way they can be used. Let us break it down for you. Outlook Groups With Outlook Groups, every member gets a shared […]]]>

While most Office 365 apps serve a unique purpose, tools like Outlook Groups, Yammer, and Microsoft Teams can all be used for office communication and collaboration. However, there are small differences in the way they can be used. Let us break it down for you.

Outlook Groups

With Outlook Groups, every member gets a shared inbox, calendar, project planner, notebook, and document library. You also get the ability to connect to third-party apps such as Twitter, Trello, and Mailchimp, so notifications are sent directly to your shared inbox.

This means all relevant messages and information are contained in one place, so if a majority of your conversations occur via email, Outlook Groups is ideal. What’s more, HR and sales departments that communicate with external parties will also find plenty of uses for its email features.

A big drawback with Outlook Groups, however, is email overload. Because all messages and notifications are sent to one inbox, users may become overwhelmed by the number of emails they have to sort through every day.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams, a chat-based collaboration platform similar to Slack, works with Skype for Business so you can text, call, video chat, and share files with colleagues. Thanks to its seamless integrations with other Office 365 programs, you can even work on shared files without having to leave the app.

Unlike Groups, Microsoft Teams is designed for high-velocity collaboration, making it the best of the three for completing projects with tight deadlines or other tasks where employees need immediate feedback.

Yammer

Much like Groups and Teams, Yammer works well with other Office 365 tools like Outlook and OneDrive. However, Yammer is a professional social media app designed to foster open communication and break down barriers between teams.

With Yammer, important files and announcements can be shared with the entire company like an office bulletin board. Users can see the most popular post on their feeds, follow it, and even provide their input by leaving a comment.

Yammer also takes design elements and features from popular social media apps like Facebook, making it a popular choice for companies with millennials in their workforce.

Although we’ve discussed the fundamental differences between Groups, Teams, and Yammer, we’ve barely scratched the surface of what each app can do. To figure out which apps you need, you must understand how your employees work, how they prefer to collaborate, and what you want to achieve.

But there’s another way to find the right app for your business. Contact us today for an IT assessment!

]]>Fileless malware: Are you at risk?https://www.jexet.com/2019/02/19/fileless-malware-are-you-at-risk/
Tue, 19 Feb 2019 21:00:04 +0000http://jexet.bypronto.com/?p=34506Over the past few years, the security industry has been witnessing a rapid evolution in attack techniques, including fileless malware, which uses legitimate tools and services such as existing software, applications, and authorized protocols to carry out malicious activities such as unauthorized data retrieval or data damage. It therefore pays to stay abreast of such […]]]>

Over the past few years, the security industry has been witnessing a rapid evolution in attack techniques, including fileless malware, which uses legitimate tools and services such as existing software, applications, and authorized protocols to carry out malicious activities such as unauthorized data retrieval or data damage. It therefore pays to stay abreast of such threats.

What is fileless malware?

Fileless malware is stored in random access memory (RAM) instead of on the hard drive. In a typical fileless infection, payloads can be injected into the memory of existing software or applications by running scripts within whitelisted or authenticated applications such as PowerShell, which is designed to automate system administration tasks such as view all USB devices, drives, and services installed in the system, schedule a series of demands, or terminate processes (i.e., Task Manager).

Because there are no files to trace, fileless malware escapes detection from most antimalware programs, especially those that use databases of precedents. Furthermore, most automated sensors cannot recognize illicit scripts, and cybersecurity analysts who are trained to identify them usually have a difficult time establishing where to start looking. Fileless malware isn’t as visible compared to traditional malware. They employ a variety of techniques to stay persistent, and can adversely affect the integrity of a business’s process and the infrastructures that run them.

Fileless malware by the numbers

Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab first discovered a type of fileless malware on its very own network a couple of years ago. The final verdict was that it originated from the Stuxnet strain of state-sponsored cyber warfare. The high level of sophistication and government funding meant fileless malware was virtually nonexistent until the beginning of 2017.

In November 2016, attacks using fileless malware saw an uptick of 13% according to a report. In the same quarter, attacks surged 33% compared to the first quarter. During the first quarter of 2017, more PowerShell-related attacks were reported on more than 12,000 unique machines.

Kaspersky Lab uncovered over 140 infections across 40 different countries. Almost every instance of the fileless malware was found in financial institutions and worked towards obtaining login credentials. In the worst cases, infections had already gleaned enough information to allow cyberattackers to withdraw undisclosed sums of cash from ATMs.

In 2018, cybersecurity firm Trend Micro detected a rising trend of fileless threats throughout the first half of the year.

Is your business at risk?

It is unlikely your business would have been targeted in the earliest stages of this particular strain of malware, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Businesses should practice defense in depth, where multilayered safeguards are implemented to reduce exposure and mitigate damage. But apart from cultivating a security-aware workforce, what actionable countermeasures can organizations do?

While your business might not be in immediate danger, you should employ solutions that analyze trends in behavior. It is also wise to invest in a managed service provider that offers 24/7 network monitoring, proper patches, and software updates. Call today to get started.

]]>Monitor your business with Google Alertshttps://www.jexet.com/2019/02/18/monitor-your-business-with-google-alerts/
Mon, 18 Feb 2019 21:00:53 +0000http://jexet.bypronto.com/?p=34503You can keep tabs on your business online and in real time using Google Alerts, a free and easy- to-use content change detection and notification service. You can even use this tool to monitor your competitors. Read on to learn how it can help you. What is Google Alerts? Google Alerts allows you to monitor […]]]>

You can keep tabs on your business online and in real time using Google Alerts, a free and easy- to-use content change detection and notification service. You can even use this tool to monitor your competitors. Read on to learn how it can help you.

What is Google Alerts?

Google Alerts allows you to monitor the web for interesting new content on topics of interest to your business. It can also be used to alert you whenever your business is mentioned anywhere online, whether on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or wherever.

How do You Sign Up For Google Alerts?

Signing up and using this service is easy peasy! Just visit the Google Alert website, log in to your preferred Google account (if you have multiple accounts), and type in the words and phrases for which you want to receive alerts.

How does Google Alerts Work?

Just type your business’s name into your Google Alerts account, and whenever Google encounters relevant posts that mention your company, it will send you an email alert. This is an easy way to get notifications about articles featuring you or your business as soon as the posts go live.

Modify how often you want to be alerted

An avalanche of notifications can be overwhelming, especially if they’re cluttering your email. The great thing about Google Alerts is that it’s completely customizable. If you find that a keyword isn’t relevant to you anymore, you can change or delete it. You can even choose how frequent you want to receive emails and tweak the settings so you can receive the same alert across multiple email accounts in just a few clicks.

The benefits

With Google Alerts, you can easily keep track of your business without having to filter through irrelevant pieces of information that you come across when scrolling through your feed. With this tool, you can record all reviews about your business, competitors, clients, and suppliers in real time, allowing you to stay prepared and one step ahead of the competition.

Explore the myriad tools and services built to make your life easier. Call us today!

]]>Tidy IT: emails, chats, and files in one apphttps://www.jexet.com/2019/02/12/tidy-it-emails-chats-and-files-in-one-app/
Tue, 12 Feb 2019 21:00:03 +0000http://jexet.bypronto.com/?p=34500It can be overwhelming to have several windows pulled up to manage your email, company chats, and any cloud storage that isn’t compatible with your inbox. Microsoft Teams helps streamline the basic necessities of office work to help you overcome the tedium of multitasking. The convenience of chat apps has enabled workers to cut down […]]]>

It can be overwhelming to have several windows pulled up to manage your email, company chats, and any cloud storage that isn’t compatible with your inbox. Microsoft Teams helps streamline the basic necessities of office work to help you overcome the tedium of multitasking.

The convenience of chat apps has enabled workers to cut down on time spent away from their workspace to quickly exchange information with colleagues. And work-related software isn’t just becoming more mobile, it’s also getting more user-friendly, with apps like Microsoft Teams bringing together several different platforms. Here’s how you can use that to your advantage:

Use SharePoint to store and share files

You might already be using SharePoint to store files and collaborate with your teammates. But did you know that in every Teams channel, you can click the Files tab to share files from SharePoint with team members? You can also access SharePoint files that are already shared in the channel and use Office Online or Office Desktop to collaborate on those files.

Forward emails into a channel

You get countless emails every day, many of which might be lost in your inboxes. Fortunately, Microsoft makes it easy to forward any email message from Outlook to a channel in Teams so they show up in both platforms. Just click the ellipsis next to any channel name and select Get email address. This generates an email address for the channel, which you can copy and use to forward files, documents, and messages.

Stick with a few groups

While you can create as many groups within your organization as you like, going overboard can result in a cluttered messaging interface that overwhelms team members. We recommend you create groups based on the number of projects and team members involved; you can always add more if necessary.

Set up audio conferencing

Teams lets you host voice meetings with groups or with just one team member. This is particularly useful when communicating with remote workers or clients, in which case you can give them guest access to your Teams channel. Guest access ensures they’re able to communicate, but unable to view private information.

Test communication strategies

Just because some of the features in Teams overlap with other Microsoft platforms, such as Yammer and Skype for Business, doesn’t mean they’re all redundant. Think of it as a chance to test different communication strategies to find out what works best for you. For instance, if most of your clients have a Skype ID, you can use Skype for client calls and Teams for internal calls.

Share conversations with new team members

Teams makes onboarding new hires easy. Rather than forwarding numerous emails and documents to new employees, you can use Teams to share past conversations and projects with them. This enables everyone to catch up without having to deal with cumbersome documents.

Microsoft Teams and other Office solutions are equipped with plenty of useful features that can take some time to master. But by taking advantage of these tools, you’ll be able to save time and maximize efficiency, all without having to spend a dime. If you have any questions about Microsoft Office and how it can benefit your business, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

]]>Which social media platform is best for you?https://www.jexet.com/2019/02/11/which-social-media-platform-is-best-for-you/
Mon, 11 Feb 2019 21:00:16 +0000http://jexet.bypronto.com/?p=34497Finding the right channel to promote one’s business is a growing challenge in the digital age, with social media acting as an indispensable business tool. The question is, what else can you do aside from updating your status? Here are five ways to help you enhance your social media marketing. Social media has helped businesses […]]]>

Finding the right channel to promote one’s business is a growing challenge in the digital age, with social media acting as an indispensable business tool. The question is, what else can you do aside from updating your status? Here are five ways to help you enhance your social media marketing.

Social media has helped businesses not only to cut down on customer service costs, but also to cut corners in their marketing efforts. For you to get the most out of social media, you need to evaluate which tools work best in our industry, how much of your time a social media project is worth, and how to apply common best practices.

1. Choose the right platform

Since the internet offers a buffet of free, easy-to-use platforms, it’s tempting to sign up for all of them. Without due prudence, however, you might find yourself managing more accounts than you have time for.

Ask yourself these questions before choosing which platform to use:

Who is my target customer and what channels do they use?

What do I hope to gain by opening a social media account?

What kind of content do I want to share and create?

How much time can I devote to social media management?

Investing more time in fewer platforms helps you monitor the more important areas of your business.

2. Know when to update

Are most of your customers online at 8:00 am or 8:00 pm? With a better understanding of your target users’ habits, you can schedule your posts so they create more traffic, increase brand engagement and, eventually, generate new leads and customers.

Although the best time to post content changes based on your industry, location, and other factors, these are the most successful times on average:

3. Use attractive, professional-looking visuals

One of the simplest ways to get followers to share your posts is by uploading high-quality photos, videos, and infographics along with your messages. Studies have shown that Facebook posts with images result in 39% more engagement, while tweets with images or videos create 200% more engagement.

4. Engage with your followers

It’s important for businesses to maintain a healthy back-and-forth on social media. This means beyond sharing useful content, you should also respond to their comments and private messages as quickly as possible. You can build stronger relationships with customers by writing thank you comments to anyone who shared positive experiences with your business and by addressing negative comments with personalized and helpful responses.

5. Pump the brakes on promotional materials

Although social media is a valuable tool, it’s important not to muddy the water with too many promotional posts. A rule of thumb for social media promotions is that 80% of your posts should be shareable and interactive content, while the remaining 20% should be about your business. This will result in more engagement, a more consistent brand image, and a healthier bottom line.

Social media can help your business succeed, but only if it’s used correctly and effectively. If you’re interested in adopting the right social media platform to increase engagement and create a stronger brand reputation, contact us today and we’ll help you get started.

]]>The different types of virtualizationhttps://www.jexet.com/2019/02/07/the-different-types-of-virtualization/
Thu, 07 Feb 2019 21:00:54 +0000http://jexet.bypronto.com/?p=34494One of the biggest money-saving IT trends of the past two decades is the cloud, but due to popular demand, virtualization technology has also become an important business improvement trend in recent years. Here are a few ways virtualization is used to improve efficiency and productivity in the office. What is virtualization? By virtualizing any […]]]>

One of the biggest money-saving IT trends of the past two decades is the cloud, but due to popular demand, virtualization technology has also become an important business improvement trend in recent years. Here are a few ways virtualization is used to improve efficiency and productivity in the office.

What is virtualization?

By virtualizing any of the items below, you can trick software into recognizing hardware when none actually exists. The easiest way to explain this is with examples from the most common type of this technology: hardware virtualization.

If you have one high-powered computer processor, virtualization allows you to split it up and run four separate operating systems (Windows, Apple OS, etc.), each seemingly running on a standalone, low-powered processor. In this case, virtualization is like creating different partitions within one processor, each with an independent environment for different uses.

Conversely, virtualization can also be used to connect four high-powered processors to create what your operating system will recognize as one ultra-fast piece of hardware.
This technology can be applied in a number of ways for more efficient resource utilization and cost savings.

#1 Desktop virtualization

Sometimes referred to as cloud desktops, this form of virtualization grants you access to a fully functioning computer via a local network or the internet. Somewhere, a server has allocated a portion of its hardware resources for your virtual desktop. With a keyboard, monitor, mouse, and extremely low-end computer, you can connect to this virtual desktop and utilize all the processing power and storage the server has set aside for it.

#2 Application virtualization

By installing a program on a server hard drive, your employee workstations can use their computing resources to run the program, but restrict data from being stored on their hard drives. The program and the documents it creates will never leave the server hard drive, making it much harder for hackers to compromise them.

With more advanced virtualization solutions, your server can also allocate the computing resources necessary to run the program, meaning your workstations are merely a window to your server.

#3 Storage virtualization

Similar to hardware virtualization, this strategy makes it easy to organize how your data is stored. In addition to combining hard drives across several computers into a massive virtual drive, storage virtualization also stores data based on how important it is. Frequently used documents are saved to your fastest drives and can be automatically backed up to the cloud.

#4 Network virtualization

If your office has more than 10 workstations, it makes sense to consider network virtualization, which allows you to separate vulnerable devices. For example, if you had one server that handles a lot of web traffic and another that stored sensitive documents, you might want to connect them to different networks to avoid cross-contamination in case of a virus attack. Network virtualization would allow you to do that without buying any new hardware!

Even with our simplified explanations, virtualization is still a complicated subject. Rather than try to figure it out in a few hundred words, give us a call and we’ll show you in person!

]]>OneNote 101: Master OneNote in no timehttps://www.jexet.com/2019/02/05/onenote-101-master-onenote-in-no-time/
Tue, 05 Feb 2019 21:00:35 +0000http://jexet.bypronto.com/?p=34491OneNote is a useful but underutilized app that comes with Microsoft Office. It enables you to create and share digital notebooks that contain text, audio, video, and other multimedia, taking your note-taking to another level. Discover the ins and outs of this wonderful app by reading on. Organize your digital notebook While both Microsoft Word […]]]>

OneNote is a useful but underutilized app that comes with Microsoft Office. It enables you to create and share digital notebooks that contain text, audio, video, and other multimedia, taking your note-taking to another level. Discover the ins and outs of this wonderful app by reading on.

Organize your digital notebook

While both Microsoft Word and OneNote let you create text-heavy documents, they store and display saved information differently. Word displays one document at a time, but OneNote shows you all your documents at once.

When you open OneNote for the first time, it shows you a default Notebook called “My Notebook.” If you want to create another notebook, click on the < beside the name of your current Notebook, then choose +Notebook at the bottom of your screen.

To use the default notebook, you can immediately customize it. The easiest way to do this is to separate the Notebook into sub-categories called Sections, similar to what dividers do in a physical notebook. For example, you can organize your client notes by dedicating a specific Section for them. Sections are shown as color-coded tabs along the top of the screen, next to the name of your Notebook. Add one by clicking on +Section at the bottom left of your screen.

After you’ve created Sections, it’s time to add individual pages to them. For example, under the Section Client A, you can add pages pertaining to Client Contact, Project Status, and Billing Information. To begin adding pages under a Section, simply click +Page.
Rename your Notebook, Section, or Page by right-clicking the bar with its name and choosing the rename option.

Start experimenting

There’s no hard-and-fast rule to enjoy OneNote, because each person’s note-taking habits are unique. The only way to find out if OneNote works for you is to try out all the features, and decide which works for you. Here are some things you can try to get a feel of the OneNote experience. However, keep in mind that these only work in OneNote for Windows 10. If you’re using an older version, you need to upgrade to the latest version to enjoy these benefits:

Add tags to your notes so you can search for them efficiently

Instantly turn your drawings into shapes or text using the Ink to Shape and Ink to Text functions, respectively

Solve equations by using the Ink Math Assistant, an in-app function that will help you graph or solve math problems

Use “Immersive Reader” to read texts out loud

Write on a web page in Microsoft Edge and save your annotations to OneNote

Share your OneNote

So you’ve created a detailed plan for an upcoming event complete with visual pegs and handwritten instructions, and you want to share that with your team. That’s easy as pie with OneNote. Just go to the upper right corner of your ribbon, click on the Share button, and type in the email addresses of the people to whom you wish to send your notes. You can also set the sharing permissions to either “can view” or “can edit,” giving you more control of your data.

OneNote has innumerable tricks up its sleeve, and it can take months for you to master all of them. Call us today, and we’ll make sure you’ll get the hang of OneNote in no time.

]]>The Jexet Technology Times | February 2019https://www.jexet.com/2019/02/04/jexet-technology-times-february-2019/
Mon, 04 Feb 2019 13:06:52 +0000http://jexet.bypronto.com/?p=344834 Reasons You Should Move Your Data To The Cloud TODAY If you’re one of the skeptics holding out on incorporating cloud technology into your business, you’re in the minority. Today, a full 93% of businesses now use the cloud in their day-to-day operations, according to RightScale. Here’s why. The cloud increases profits. The nimble, […]]]>

4 Reasons You Should Move Your Data To The Cloud TODAY

If you’re one of the skeptics holding out on incorporating cloud technology into your business, you’re in the minority. Today, a full 93% of businesses now use the cloud in their day-to-day operations, according to RightScale. Here’s why.

The cloud increases profits. The nimble, location-flexible nature of the cloud enables lean, remote operation from anywhere in the world, increasing the bottom line of SMBs.

The cloud boosts efficiency. Without the need for data silos, cloud applications can drastically reduce bottlenecks and failures.

The cloud is more secure. Backups are that much easier to implement and access, meaning that your business can be up and running after a data breach in minutes rather than days.

Top Tactics To Improve Company Culture

A healthy company culture does more than make work life bearable – it draws in talent and increases productivity. But contrary to what some CEOs may believe, culture begins with leadership. To bolster a positive, winning environment in your business, make sure that above all, your team embodies the core values of your organization. Hire and fire by the standards you’ve set, and build an organization that seeks to bring meaning to the business you do.

Also, be sure to maintain transparency at every turn. Nothing erodes trust and good vibes like secrets or the rumors they spawn, yet many leaders struggle to understand that, when faced with a difficult situation, a thorough explanation will win the loyalty and consideration of those you work with.

Finally, keep your vision locked on your organization’s long-term goals. With a clear focus in mind for your employees, it’s that much easier for everyone to stay on the same team and continue to push forward in earnest. Short-term wins are important, sure, but it’s the visionary in you that will become someone to rally around for the long haul.

When was the last time you looked at the doors to your business? It isn’t just about who comes in; it’s also about how.

Let me give an example. A new restaurant opened near my office. It’s been very successful, and I eat there regularly. The only problem is the horrendous door you have to go through to get in. Opening it causes an obnoxious grating sound, not unlike a few metal tomcats duking it out in an alley. The pull is hard and inconsistent. At first I thought they’d fix it, but since it hasn’t been dealt with in months, it’s clear to me that the owners don’t give much thought to the first impression it creates.

Actual doors are important, but the metaphorical doors to your business are even more important. These “doors” are entry points, drawing people in or keeping them out. They can welcome or they can warn.

What about the doors to your business?

Your website is your online door. Is it aesthetically pleasing? Easy to navigate? Up-to-date? Can a visitor quickly find contact information? Does it just advertise, or does it make it easy for visitors to actually take action?

Your phone is a door too. Whether answered by a person or a recorded message, it speaks volumes about your professionalism and punctuality.

The way you handle service and support is yet another door. How easy is it for a customer to schedule a repair? Do techs arrive when promised? Are they professional in appearance and friendly in demeanor?

Then there’s your social media accounts. What image do your various platforms convey? Does your social media support or detract from your brand?

Your office environment is another. Is it a place customers enjoy or endure? If you serve coffee, how good is it?

Gordon Hinckley said, “Eternal vigilance is the price of eternal development.” Paying attention consistently will allow you to develop and achieve success. Ignoring the doors, literal and metaphorical, can be costly.

A good door makes it easy for customers to enter. A great door invites them in and sets the tone for what follows. Make sure yours immediately conveys everything you want others to know about your business.

Mark Sanborn, CSP, CPAE, is the president of Sanborn & Associates, Inc., an “idea studio” that seeks to motivate and develop leaders in and outside of business. He’s the best-selling author of the books Fred Factor and The Potential Principle and a noted expert on leadership, team building, customer service and company change. He holds the Certified Speaking Professional designation from the National Speakers Association and is a member of the Speaker Hall of Fame. Check out any of his excellent books; his video series, “Team Building: How to Motivate and Manage People”; or his website, marksanborn.com, to learn more.
]]>This Smartphone Is Also A Projector: Introducing The Movihttps://www.jexet.com/2019/02/04/smartphone-also-projector-introducing-movi/
Mon, 04 Feb 2019 12:48:45 +0000http://jexet.bypronto.com/?p=34469Sure, your big honking iPhone or massive Android is impressive, but does it have a screen the size of an entire wall?

The Movi is the first smartphone to integrate a built-in pico projector into its design, allowing users to project 720p images up to 200 inches in size wherever they are. At only $599, it’s a bargain when compared to other comparable projectors.

However, there are caveats: the Movi’s FHD phone screen can’t compare to its higher-end OLED competitors, and its camera leaves something to be desired. But if you’re an avid video buff with a mind for convenience, the Movi may be just what you’re looking for.